Girlfriends' Locker Room: As a health plan, it sucks

June 18, 2004

As a health plan, it sucks

THERESA: Here's an interesting new finding. While liposuction may make you look more trim, it doesn't improve health in the same way as diet and exercise. Dr. Samuel Klein, the first author of the new study and director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, says that this study "tells you is that losing fat itself by sucking it out does not give metabolic benefits." The New York Times reports that one reason may be that liposuction removes fat only from under the skin, whereas dieting and exercise reduce deeper deposits in the organs and inside the abdomen; such deposits are believed to be more dangerous. In addition, while liposuction removes some fat cells, it does not shrink the billions left behind. Dieting does shrink fat cells, making them less prone to release harmful substances.

So (sigh) we do need to eat right and keep exercising to ward off heart disease and all the other health problems we know of that are associated with obesity. Having just returned from a fabulous two-week vacation during which I ran only twice and ate too many chips and burgers, I'm a little ashamed of myself and eager to get back into my regular exercise regime. (How far you want to run with me Saturday morning, Yvonne?) How's everyone else doing keeping fit this summer and what are your exercise plans for the weekend?

APRIL: I too have been dragging thanks to the heat. I am hoping to get out and run five miles on Saturday and possibly on Sunday.

JENICE: Well, April's comment a couple of weeks ago really inspired me. She was up at running at 5 a.m. Although I was also was up at that time, I wasn't even thinking about exercising. So, I'm now on a push to run early in the mornings. Ladies, I've discovered another benefit of running at that time. No one whistles or blows their horn at you as you go down the street!

JILL: I'm not surprised about the liposuction. It seems fairly obvious that in order to have systemic improvement, you have to change the whole system, not lop off a piece of it. There's something about liposuction that gives me the shudders. Not that I'm opposed to cosmetic surgery, because I'm not. But sucking the fat out of your body? Yeeacccchhh! I've been back with regular exercise after a hiatus of a couple of weeks, but I'm finding that I really have to push myself very hard to get to the gym. I don't mind the weight circuit but I'm bored to death of the 30 minutes I spend on the elliptical machine. I know, I could try the bike or the treadmill, but I find that I don't burn calories the way I do on the elliptical machine. It seems much more rigorous.

YVONNE W: My regimen will remain the same. Saturday morning advanced step class. Saturdary afternoon Latin movement and body motion class. I will probably squeeze in half an hour of jumping rope.

And my significant other is dropping by on Saturday evening. Hopefully, I will burn a few more pleasurable calories.

LAURIE: Salsa, jump rope and romance -- now that sounds like a fitness regimen to follow!

JILL: With a little nightcap of chocolate!

APRIL: Yvonne has officially taken over my "Ahem" status!

JENICE: Yvonne's significant other is 21 years younger than she is. I think I'm going to buy a jump rope and maybe sign up for that salsa class.

LAURIE: Whoa!!!!! That's way cool.

KIMBERLY: Wow, it's funny that you should mention lipo. I was talking about it yesterday with the producer of CN8 "Your Morning". Sure, you can suck out some fat but that does not begin to address the problem because the existing fat cells only shrink or expand. Fitness is a lifestyle which requires a daily commitment. Jack LaLane is my hero! This guy is nearly 90 and he is the best example of the benefits of living the fitness lifestyle. To keep your fitness fun and exciting vary your activities: the gym, dancing, fencing, or rock climbing for example. The only constant is change.

Comments

Yvonne, have a GOOD weekend! I walked the American Heart Walk last weekend (a 5k) and walked the dog a couple of miles on Sunday. It wasn't much, but it was hilly, and it made me feel like getting back into the mode. Even if I can just get in the exercise on weekends for now, it's better than nothing.

BUT, I really do have to kick it up a notch if I want to walk/run the half in Nov. But I HATE getting the miles in on the treadmill. It is SOOO boring.

Any suggestions on how to make treadmill work more enjoyable? I've been including it in circuit training, which is good, but I need to get in the mileage.

Yvette

Posted by: Yvette W. on June 18, 2004 11:18 AM

I love listening to music or watching TV when I'm on the treadmill. Sometimes I'll pause the machine for a quick water break, if I'm aiming to run several miles. I also like recruit a pal when I go to the gym for treadmill time. And it also breaks up the monotony to try the machine's pre-programmed workouts -- it helps to incorporate speed or hillwork every few minutes or so to make the time go by a little faster. When it's hot and muggy in the summer, the treadmill is sometimes the only way to go!

Posted by: Theresa on June 18, 2004 12:00 PM

Hey guys!

I can't agree with you more on trying to "mix it up" with the cardio. I do about 30 to 45 minutes of cardio on the elliptical machine 3 times a week as I find that this burns way more calories than if I ride the stationary bike or a recumbent bike (I find these two very boring!!). Still, you have to constantly try and new and varied ways of pumping up the cardio because your body adjusts to the same thing day in and day out. It's hard but if you do it, it becomes fun and you begin to look forward to different ways of mixing it up and hopefully burning those calories.

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